Finger Lakes Rally 2014

[k_enn]

Anyone going?  Labor Day weekend this year.  Work permitting, I am planning on taking the new bike there.

k_enn

[nhmaf]

I wanted to go this year, but starting a new job, and dealing with some family things has derailed me again.
I hope that you have a great time -- maybe you will see Suecanada there?!

[k_enn]

I went to the Rally.  I did not run into anyone from here, and did not see any R65s.  I did run into a guy from Massachusetts who is in the process of working on an early 80s R65LS.  

Saturday was a good weather for riding.  Unfurtunately, I got a late start and could not really do some of the back roads I wanted to do on the way there.  Go there just in time to set up the tent, and head to dinner.  They had a good blues band that night.

Sunday morning was raining.  I was too lazy to get out the rain gear, so I just hung around.   By early afternoon, it was not even a light mist.  I rode over to the Curtis Aviation museum in Hammondsport, and had a good time there.  The ride back was ok.  The roads were still wet, so I took it easy.  The Sunday night band was a jazz quartet.  Ok, if you like that music.  

Monday was nice and clear.  The roads had pretty much dried out.  I got an early start and had plenty of time to play on the backroads.  I ended up missing one of my planned turns, and ended up down in Nowhere Pennsylvania.  After a lot of dead reackoning navigation, I eventually found a numbered road I recognized and had a good trip back.  

A good trip.  I will keep it in mind next year, especially if the weather reports are good.

k_enn

[nhmaf]

Anytime someone can make successful runs on the salt is an achievement unto itself!   You still get a standing ovation from me!

 [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif]

[k_enn]

I think your post was meant for another thread.

[suecanada]

Gee K_enn I missed you at Finger lakes then. I was there from early Friday a.m. 9:30am until not so early on Monday. Camping along the treeline to the left after you pass security gate. Was riding the Suzuki DR650 instead of LRB. It was the really farkled Suzuki with the transluscent gastank and it did stand out from all the BMWs to say the least. Big honkin' round aftermarket headlight on it...trailtech 8" racelight, Dirt Bagz saddlebags.
Orange tent. Maybe you walked past??
I bet we just would not recognise each other. :-/

[mrbuck]

Transluscent gas tank?  No fuel gauge required there! Awesome!  I would like to see a picture of that tank.

[k_enn]

Missed seeing you, Sue.  I was camping in the the little grassy area that the pavement loops around.  I took the new bike, K1300S.  It was parked on that paved loop in a spot for cars.  You probably walked past it and did not know.  

Would have loved to see your Suzuki.  Sounds like quite a bike.

k_enn

[suecanada]

Let me see if I even remember how to add a pic of the DR650SE here! The pic will be of me, the DR and the PO jered at his home in Qualicum Beach, BC right at the very first moment I was to ride the bike for the first time. Nervous...say what??!!

[montmil]

I'm thinking that 'Zuki would be a heck of a lot easier to pick up than a BMW ADV bike.

Recently read a popular bike magazine article about off-roading the Motorrad heavyweights. Author encouraged anyone going sans-pavement with these bikes to ride with a friend -as you'll need help when the inevitable tip over occurs.

I'm casually thinking of adding a DP bike to my stable. The various DR Suzuki offerings look promising as does the bulletproof Kwacker KLR650... with a carburetor rather than FI.

[suecanada]

The DR650 is dirt simple, old technology. It is oil-cooler/air cooled. The KLR is a smidgen taller, has water cooling to worry about, is heavier by some 50 lbs I think but has a larger fuel tank.
This DR650SE weight is approx. 367 lbs wet or maybe lighter as Jered, the PO, removed and replaced quite a bit of stuff.....so it probably weighs say 360 lbs wet. Add gas it'll weigh say what..almost 40 lbs more fully tanked? Anyway, the DR is 138 lbs lighter than the Bonnie and 90 lbs lighter than LRB. This is a huge advantage in my books for me to just being able to manoeuvre the bike around in tight quarters. For the very first time I am now wheeling the motorcycle out to the front of the house, no engine started yet, and also on grass I can simply hop off and manhandle the bike in a 3 point turn to head off straight again. If I get caught in a hot traffic lineup or tailback or long hot lineup at Customs, I can get off and walk beside it without having a heart attack! I lowered it enough too that I can paddle along without dismounting. Light bike and still lots of guts to keep up on an Interstate if needed.....less vibration than the Bonnie. Same as LRB...i.e. none really.
So bottom line..I love it...it is the DR200 but going fast!

[nhmaf]

That bike looks like just the ticket you've been looking for, Sue!

I see an adventure tour to the tip of South America on that one...